1981 New Jersey Senate election

The 1981 New Jersey State Senate elections were held on November 3. The New Jersey legislature reapportioned its state legislative districts in advance of the 1981 election. The new districts resulted in many senators running for re-election in newly re-numbered districts. The election coincided with a tightly contested gubernatorial election between Thomas Kean and James Florio. Republicans gained five seats, narrowing the Democratic majority to 22-18.

1981 New Jersey Senate elections

← 1977 November 3, 1981 1983 →
All 40 seats in the New Jersey State Senate 21 seats needed for a majority
Majority party Minority party   Leader Carmen A. Orechio Garrett Hagedorn Party Democratic Republican Leader's seat 13th 40th Last election 27 13 Seats before 24 13 Seats won 22 18 Seat change 2 5
Results by district      Democratic hold      Democratic gain      Republican hold      Republican gain
Senate President before election Joseph P. Merlino Democratic Elected Senate President Carmen Orechio Democratic

A Federal Bureau of Investigation investigation resulted in the retirements of Senators Joseph A. Maressa and Angelo Errichetti, both of whom accepted bribes from the FBI under the guise of Arab oil sheikhs. Errichetti was convicted; Maressa was not prosecuted but opted to retire.^[1]

Contents Incumbents not running • Summary of results By District: 1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 • 11 • 12 • 13 • 14 • 15 • 16 • 17 • 18 • 19 • 20 • 21 • 22 • 23 • 24 • 25 • 26 • 27 • 28 • 29 • 30 • 31 • 32 • 33 • 34 • 35 • 36 • 37 • 38 • 39 • 40

Incumbents not running for re-election

Democratic

• Joseph A. Maressa (District 4)^[1]
• Angelo Errichetti (District 5)^[2]
• Charles B. Yates (District 7)^[2]
• Joseph P. Merlino (District 13) (ran for governor)^[2]
• William J. Hamilton (District 17)^[2] (ran for governor)
• Frank J. Dodd (District 26)^[2] (ran for governor)
• James A. Galdieri (District 32)

Republican

• James Cafiero (District 1)^[2]
• Barry T. Parker (District 8) (ran for governor)^[2]
• James Wallwork (District 25) (ran for governor)^[2]

1974–82

1982–1992

New Jersey Legislature before (left) and after (right) the 1981 redistricting

Summary of results by State Senate district

District	Incumbent	Party		Elected Senator	Party
1st Legislative District	James Cafiero		Rep	James R. Hurley		Rep
2nd Legislative District	Steven P. Perskie		Dem	Steven P. Perskie		Dem
3rd Legislative District	Raymond Zane		Dem	Raymond Zane		Dem
4th Legislative District	Joseph A. Maressa		Dem	Daniel Dalton		Dem
5th Legislative District	Vacant[lower-alpha 1]			Walter Rand		Dem
6th Legislative District	Lee Laskin		Rep	Lee Laskin		Rep
7th Legislative District	Charles B. Yates		Dem	Herman T. Costello		Dem
8th Legislative District	Barry T. Parker		Rep	H. James Saxton		Rep
9th Legislative District	John F. Russo[lower-alpha 2]		Dem	Leonard T. Connors		Rep
10th Legislative District	Brian T. Kennedy[lower-alpha 3]		Rep	John F. Russo		Dem
11th Legislative District	S. Thomas Gagliano[lower-alpha 4]		Rep	Brian T. Kennedy		Rep
12th Legislative District	Eugene Bedell[lower-alpha 5]		Dem	S. Thomas Gagliano		Rep
13th Legislative District	Joseph P. Merlino[lower-alpha 6]		Dem	John P. Gallagher		Rep
14th Legislative District	Walter E. Foran[lower-alpha 7]		Rep	Francis J. McManimon		Dem
15th Legislative District	Wayne Dumont[lower-alpha 8]		Rep	Gerald R. Stockman		Dem
16th Legislative District	John H. Ewing		Rep	John H. Ewing		Rep
17th Legislative District	William J. Hamilton		Dem	John A. Lynch Jr.		Dem
18th Legislative District	Vacant[lower-alpha 9]			James Bornheimer		Dem
19th Legislative District	Laurence Weiss		Dem	Laurence Weiss		Dem
20th Legislative District	Anthony E. Russo[lower-alpha 10]		Dem	John Gregorio		Dem
21st Legislative District	John Gregorio[lower-alpha 11]		Dem	C. Louis Bassano		Rep
22nd Legislative District	Donald DiFrancesco		Rep	Donald DiFrancesco		Rep
23rd Legislative District	John H. Dorsey[lower-alpha 12]		Rep	Walter E. Foran		Rep
24th Legislative District	James P. Vreeland[lower-alpha 13]		Rep	Wayne Dumont		Rep
25th Legislative District	James Wallwork		Rep	John H. Dorsey		Rep
26th Legislative District	Frank J. Dodd		Dem	James P. Vreeland		Rep
27th Legislative District	Carmen Orechio[lower-alpha 14]		Dem	Richard Codey		Dem
28th Legislative District	John P. Caufield		Dem	John P. Caufield		Dem
29th Legislative District	Wynona Lipman		Dem	Wynona Lipman		Dem
30th Legislative District	Frank E. Rodgers[lower-alpha 15]		Dem	Carmen Orechio		Dem
31st Legislative District	Wally Sheil		Dem	Edward T. O'Connor Jr.		Dem
32nd Legislative District	James A. Galdieri		Dem	Frank E. Rodgers		Dem
33rd Legislative District	William Musto		Dem	William Musto		Dem
34th Legislative District	Joseph Hirkala[lower-alpha 16]		Dem	Joseph Bubba		Rep
35th Legislative District	Frank X. Graves Jr.		Dem	Frank X. Graves Jr.		Dem
36th Legislative District	Vacant[lower-alpha 17]			Joseph Hirkala		Dem
37th Legislative District	Matthew Feldman		Dem	Matthew Feldman		Dem
38th Legislative District	John Skevin		Dem	John Paolella		Rep
39th Legislative District	Frank Herbert		Dem	Gerald Cardinale		Rep
40th Legislative District	Garrett W. Hagedorn		Rep	Garrett Hagedorn		Rep

1. The seat was left vacant by the expulsion of Angelo Errichetti following his conviction for federal bribery charges.
2. Redistricted to 10th district.
3. Redistricted to 11th district.
4. Redistricted to 12th district.
5. Redistrict to 13th district.
6. Redistricted to 15th district.
7. Redistricted to 23rd district.
8. Redistricted to 24th district.
9. The seat had been vacant since Bernard J. Dwyer resigned to take his seat in the United States House of Representatives.
10. Redistricted to 21st district.
11. Redistricted to 20th district.
12. Redistricted to 25th district.
13. Redistricted to 26th district.
14. Redistricted to 30th district.
15. Redistricted to 32nd district.
16. Redistricted to 36th district.
17. This seat had been vacant since the resignation of Anthony Scardino to join the Hackensack Meadowlands Development Commission.

Close races

Seats where the margin of victory was under 10%:

1. District 30, 1.7%
2. District 33, 3.2%
3. District 2, 3.4%
4. District 21, 3.8%
5. District 18, 4.2%
6. District 38, 4.5%
7. District 20, 4.6%
8. District 34, 5.4%
9. District 1, 7.6%

District 1

The first district consisted of all of Cape May County and the Cumberland municipalities of Vineland, Millville, Bridgeton, Upper Deerfield, Deerfield, and Maurice River. Prior to redistricting, it had contained all of Cumberland County.

Incumbent Senator James Cafiero retired.

Republican primary

Candidates

• James R. Hurley, Assemblyman from Millville (Regular Organization Republican-Pat Kramer Team)

Results

1981 Republican primary^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	James R. Hurley	11,809	100.00%
Total votes			11,809	100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Edward H. Salmon, Cumberland County Freeholder and former mayor of Millville (Sound Off for South Jersey)

Results

1981 Democratic primary^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Edward H. Salmon	6,961	100.00%
Total votes			6,961	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• James R. Hurley, Assemblyman from Millville (Republican)
• Edward H. Salmon, Cumberland County Freeholder and former mayor of Millville (Democratic)

Results

1981 general election^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	James R. Hurley	32,443	53.8%
	Democratic	Edward H. Salmon	27,862	46.2%
Total votes			60,305	100.0%

District 2

The second district consisted of Atlantic County except for the municipalities of Folsom, Buena, and Buena Vista, which were removed in redistricting. Redistricting also removed Bass River and Washington in Burlington County and Tuckerton and Little Egg Harbor in Ocean County.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Richard "Reds" Lavin, labor organizer and state government liaison for the Atlantic City Department of Parks and Public Property (The Alternative)^[5]
• Steven Perskie, incumbent Senator since 1978 (Endorsed By Atlantic County Democratic Convention)

Results

1981 Democratic primary^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Steven P. Perskie (inc.)	5,400	83.79%
	Democratic	Reds Lavin	1,045	16.21%
Total votes			6,445	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Joseph McGahn, former Democratic Senator (Regular Republican)

Results

1981 Republican primary^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Joseph McGahn	8,941	100.00%
Total votes			8,941	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Joseph McGahn, former Democratic Senator (Republican)
• Steven Perskie, incumbent Senator since 1978 (Democratic)

Results

1981 general election^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Steven P. Perskie (incumbent)	29,843	51.7
	Republican	Joseph L. McGahn	27,890	48.3
Total votes			57,733	100.0

District 3

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Raymond Zane, incumbent Senator (Regular Democratic Organization)

Results

1981 Democratic primary^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Raymond Zane (inc.)	13,337	100.00%
Total votes			13,337	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• D. Paul McMahon Jr., owner of a Woodbury electrical contracting firm^[6]

Results

1981 Republican primary^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	D. Paul McMahon Jr.	8,015	100.00%
Total votes			8,015	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• D. Paul McMahon Jr., owner of a Woodbury electrical contracting firm (Republican)^[6]
• Raymond Zane, incumbent Senator (Democratic)

Results

1981 general election^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Raymond J. Zane (incumbent)	37,613	63.2
	Republican	D. Paul McMahon, Jr.	21,903	36.8
Total votes			59,516	100.0

District 4

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Daniel J. Dalton, Assemblyman from Laurel Springs (Regular Democratic Organization)
• Kenneth A. Gewertz, former Assemblyman from Deptford Township (Regular Democrat Organization)

This primary was a rematch of the 1979 Assembly election, in which Dalton and running mate Dennis L. Riley, who ran with the support of Congressman Jim Florio, unseated Gewertz and Francis J. Gorman, who had the support of Camden mayor and State Senator Angelo Errichetti.^[7] Each candidate had the support of their respective county party; Dalton in Camden and Gewertz in Gloucester.^[8]

Results

1981 Democratic primary^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Daniel J. Dalton	10,448	65.63%
	Democratic	Kenneth A. Gewertz	5,471	34.37%
Total votes			15,919	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Connie B. Roggio, Gloucester Township councilwoman (Regular Republican Organization)^[8]
• Frank B. Smith (Organization of Regular Republicans)

Results

1981 Republican primary^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Frank B. Smith	2,766	60.12%
	Republican	Connie Roggio	1,835	39.88%
Total votes			4,601	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Daniel J. Dalton (Democratic)
• Frank B. Smith (Republican)

Results

1981 general election^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Daniel J. Dalton	32,386	63.3
	Republican	Frank B. Smith	18,755	36.7
Total votes			51,141	100.0

District 5

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Walter Rand, Assemblyman from Camden (Regular Democratic Organization)
• Ernest F. Schuck, Assemblyman from Barrington (Camden County Democrat Organization)

Unlike the neighboring fourth district, both Assemblymen Rand and Schuck were considered allies of Errichetti and shared a legislative office. Their friendly relations were maintained throughout a "kid-gloves" campaign, despite the close margin.^[8]

Ultimately, Florio struck an alliance with Rand which propelled him over the top as Florio ran up large numbers in the gubernatorial race.^[8]

Results

1981 Democratic primary^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Walter Rand	9,595	54.27%
	Democratic	Ernest F. Schuck	8,085	45.73%
Total votes			17,680	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• John H. Lyons Jr. (Regular Republican Organization of Camden County)

Results

1981 Republican primary^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	John H. Lyons Jr.	2,338	100.00%
Total votes			2,338	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• John H. Lyons Jr. (Republican)
• Walter Rand, Assemblyman from Camden (Democratic)

1981 general election^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Walter Rand	32,866	72.0
	Republican	John H. Lyons, Jr.	12,800	28.0
Total votes			45,666	100.0

District 6

Republican primary

Candidates

• Lee Laskin, incumbent Senator since 1978 (Organization of Regular Republicans)

Results

1981 Republican primary^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Lee B. Laskin (incumbent)	7,777	100.00%
Total votes			7,777	100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

• James Greenberg (Regular Democratic Organization)

Results

1981 Democratic primary^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	James Greenberg	11,663	100.00%
Total votes			11,663	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• James Greenberg (Democratic)
• Lee Laskin, incumbent Senator since 1978 (Republican)

1981 general election^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Lee B. Laskin (incumbent)	36,279	56.7
	Democratic	James Greenberg	27,735	43.3
Total votes			64,014	100.0

District 7

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Herman T. Costello, Assemblyman from Burlington and mayor of Burlington since 1964 (Regular Democratic Organization)

Results

1981 Democratic primary^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Herman T. Costello	11,723	100.00%
Total votes			11,723	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Michael J. Conda (Regular Republican Organization)

Results

1981 Republican primary^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Michael J. Conda	6,807	100.00%
Total votes			6,807	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Michael J. Conda (Republican)
• Herman T. Costello, Assemblyman from Burlington and mayor of Burlington since 1964 (Democratic)

1981 general election^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Herman T. Costello	31,172	57.1
	Republican	Michael J. Conda	23,391	42.9
Total votes			54,563	100.0

District 8

Republican primary

Candidates

• Jim Saxton, Assemblyman from Mount Holly (Regular Republican Organization)

Results

1981 Republican primary^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	H. James Saxton	10,384	100.00%
Total votes			10,384	100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Raymond J. Storck (Regular Democratic Organization)

Results

1981 Democratic primary^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Raymond J. Storck	7,328	100.00%
Total votes			7,328	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Jim Saxton, Assemblyman from Mount Holly (Republican)
• Raymond J. Storck (Democratic)

1981 general election^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	H. James Saxton	33,132	65.7
	Democratic	Raymond J. Storck	17,314	34.3
Total votes			50,446	100.0

District 9

Republican primary

Candidates

• Leonard T. Connors, Ocean County Freeholder and mayor of Surf City since 1966 (Regular Republican Organization of Ocean County)

Results

1981 Republican primary^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Leonard T. Connors	13,697	100.00%
Total votes			13,697	100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Wesley K. Bell, former mayor of Stafford Township and candidate for U.S. Senate in 1978 (Official Regular Democrat Organization)

Results

1981 Democratic primary^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Wesley K. Bell	6,822	100.00%
Total votes			6,822	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Wesley K. Bell, former mayor of Stafford Township and candidate for U.S. Senate in 1978 (Democratic)
• Leonard T. Connors, Ocean County Freeholder and mayor of Surf City since 1966 (Republican)

1981 general election^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Leonard T. Connors, Jr.	40,656	64.4
	Democratic	Wesley K. Bell	22,441	35.6
Total votes			63,097	100.0

District 10

All of the new tenth district had previously been contained within the boundaries of the ninth district in Ocean County. It consisted of Lakewood, Brick, and Toms River, and the shore towns of Lavallette, Mantoloking, Bay Head, Seaside Park, Seaside Heights, Ocean Gate, Point Pleasant Beach, and Point Pleasant.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• John F. Russo, incumbent Senator since 1974 (Democratic)

Results

1981 Democratic primary^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John F. Russo (incumbent)	7,941	100.00%
Total votes			7,941	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Hazel Gluck, Assemblywoman from Lakewood (Republican)

Results

1981 Republican primary^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Hazel Gluck	11,728	100.00%
Total votes			11,728	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Hazel Gluck, Assemblywoman from Lakewood (Republican)
• John F. Russo, incumbent Senator since 1974 (Democratic)

Results

1981 general election^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John F. Russo (incumbent)	38,166	58.6
	Republican	Hazel S. Gluck	26,933	41.4
Total votes			65,099	100.0

District 11

Republican primary

Candidates

• Brian T. Kennedy, incumbent Senator since 1978 (Regular Republican)

Results

1981 Republican primary^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Leonard T. Connors	13,697	100.00%
Total votes			13,697	100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

• George Callas (Regular Democratic Organization of Monmouth County)

Results

1981 Democratic primary^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	George Callas	6,506	100.00%
Total votes			6,506	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• George Callas (Democratic)
• Stan Johnson (Citizens)
• Brian T. Kennedy, incumbent Senator since 1978 (Republican)

Results

1981 general election^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Brian T. Kennedy (incumbent)	32,063	57.8
	Democratic	George Callas	22,807	41.1
	Citizens	Stan Johnson	574	1.0
Total votes			55,444	100.0

District 12

Republican primary

Candidates

• S. Thomas Gagliano, incumbent Senator since 1978 (Regular Republican)

Results

1981 Republican primary^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	S. Thomas Gagliano (incumbent)	8,456	100.00%
Total votes			8,456	100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Roger J. Kane (Regular Democratic Organization of Monmouth County)

Results

1981 Democratic primary^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Roger J. Kane	7,755	100.00%
Total votes			7,755	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• S. Thomas Gagliano, incumbent Senator since 1978 (Republican)
• Roger J. Kane (Democratic)

Results

1981 general election^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	S. Thomas Gagliano (incumbent)	33,521	59.1
	Democratic	Roger J. Kane	23,169	40.9
Total votes			56,690	100.0

District 13

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Eugene J. Bedell, incumbent Senator since 1974 (Regular Democratic Organization of Monmouth County)

Results

1981 Democratic primary^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Eugene J. Bedell (incumbent)	8,143	100.00%
Total votes			8,143	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• John P. Gallagher, investment banker and former executive director of the New Jersey Highway Authority (Regular Republican)

Results

1981 Republican primary^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	John P. Gallagher	5,930	100.00%
Total votes			5,930	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Eugene J. Bedell, incumbent Senator since 1974 (Democratic)
• John P. Gallagher, investment banker and former executive director of the New Jersey Highway Authority (Republican)

Results

1981 general election^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	John P. Gallagher	27,988	51.6
	Democratic	Eugene J. Bedell (incumbent)	26,268	48.4
Total votes			54,256	100.0

District 14

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Francis J. McManimon, Assemblyman from Hamilton Township (Regular Democrat Organization)

Results

1981 Democratic primary^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Francis J. McManimon	9,180	100.00%
Total votes			9,180	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Thomas Colitsas

Results

1981 Republican primary^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Thomas Colitsas	4,986	100.00%
Total votes			4,986	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• S. Thomas Gagliano, incumbent Senator since 1978 (Republican)
• Roger J. Kane (Democratic)

Results

1981 general election^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Francis J. McManimon	31,742	57.7
	Republican	Thomas Colitsas	23,296	42.3
Total votes			55,038	100.0

District 15

Incumbent Senator Joseph Merlino, who had been redistricted from the 13th district, opted to run for Governor of New Jersey.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Paul J. Sollami, Mercer County Freeholder (Regular Democratic Organization)
• Gerald R. Stockman, Assemblyman from Trenton (Regular Organization Democrat)

Sollami had the support of county party chair and power broker Richard J. Coffee.^[8]

Results

1981 Democratic primary^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Gerald Stockman	10,709	54.53%
	Democratic	Paul J. Sollami	8,831	45.47%
Total votes			19,640	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Carmen J. Armenti, former Democratic mayor of Trenton

Results

1981 Republican primary^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Carmen Armenti	5,394	100.00%
Total votes			5,394	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Carmen J. Armenti, former mayor of Trenton (Republican)
• Gerald R. Stockman, Assemblyman from Trenton (Democratic)

Results

1981 general election^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Gerald R. Stockman	30,243	56.4
	Republican	Carmen J. Armenti	23,410	43.6
Total votes			53,653	100.0

District 16

Republican primary

Candidates

• John H. Ewing, incumbent Senator since 1978 (Somerset County Republican Organization)

Results

1981 Republican primary^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	John H. Ewing (incumbent)	14,485	100.00%
Total votes			14,485	100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

• John F. Guerrera (Regular Democratic Organization)

Results

1981 Democratic primary^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John F. Guerrera	4,326	100.00%
Total votes			4,326	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• John H. Ewing, incumbent Senator since 1978 (Republican)
• John F. Guerrera (Regular Democratic Organization)

Results

1981 general election^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	John H. Ewing (incumbent)	38,026	65.5
	Democratic	John F. Guerrera	20,068	34.5
Total votes			58,094	100.0

District 17

Democratic primary

Candidates

• John A. Lynch Jr., mayor of New Brunswick and son of former Senator John A. Lynch (Regular Democratic Organization)

Results

1981 Democratic primary^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John A. Lynch	9,578	100.00%
Total votes			9,578	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Donald J. Douglas (Middlesex County Republican Organization, Inc.)
• John Giammarco (Middlesex County Regular Republican Organization)

Results

1981 Republican primary^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Donald J. Douglas	2,210	66.93%
	Republican	John Giammarco	1,092	33.07%
Total votes			3,302	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Donald J. Douglas (Republican)
• Paul Lennon (Citizens)
• John A. Lynch Jr., mayor of New Brunswick and son of former Senator John A. Lynch (Democratic)

1981 general election^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John A. Lynch	25,761	60.6
	Republican	Donald J. Douglas	15,280	35.9
	Citizens	Paul Lennon	1,484	3.5
Total votes			42,525	100.0

District 18

Democratic primary

Candidates

• James Bornheimer, Assemblyman from East Brunswick (Regular Democratic Organization)
• Samuel V. Convery Jr. (Responsible Democrat)

Results

1981 Democratic primary^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	James Bornheimer	8,620	53.96%
	Democratic	Samuel V. Convery Jr.	7,354	46.04%
Total votes			15,974	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Joseph M. Cooperstein (Middlesex County Republican Organization, Inc.)
• Peter Garibaldi, former Assemblyman from Monroe Township (Middlesex County Regular Republican Organization)

Results

1981 Republican primary^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Peter Garibaldi	4,371	74.00%
	Republican	Joseph M. Cooperstein	1,536	26.00%
Total votes			5,907	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• James Bornheimer, Assemblyman from East Brunswick (Democratic)
• Peter Garibaldi, former Assemblyman from Monroe Township (Republican)

1981 general election^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	James Bornheimer	31,383	52.1
	Republican	Peter P. Garibaldi	28,853	47.9
Total votes			60,236	100.0

District 19

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Laurence S. Weiss, incumbent Senator since 1978 (Regular Democratic Organization)

Results

1981 Democratic primary^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Laurence S. Weiss (incumbent)	10,616	100.00%
Total votes			10,616	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Edmund S. Kaboski (Middlesex County Republican Organization, Inc.)

Results

1981 Republican primary^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Edmund S. Kaboski	1,750	100.00%
Total votes			1,750	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Edmund S. Kaboski (Republican)
• Laurence S. Weiss, incumbent Senator since 1978 (Democratic)

Results

1981 general election^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Laurence S. Weiss (incumbent)	31,446	60.4
	Republican	Edmund S. Kaboski	20,582	39.6
Total votes			52,028	100.0

District 20

Democratic primary

Candidates

• John T. Gregorio, incumbent Senator since 1978 and mayor of Linden (Regular Democratic Organization of Union County)

Results

1981 Democratic primary^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John T. Gregorio (incumbent)	13,122	100.00%
Total votes			13,122	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• John Fenick (Regular Organization Republican of Union County)

Results

1981 Republican primary^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	John Fenick	3,519	100.00%
Total votes			3,519	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• John Fenick (Republican)
• John T. Gregorio, incumbent Senator since 1978 and mayor of Linden (Democratic)

Results

1981 general election^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John T. Gregorio (incumbent)	25,340	52.3%
	Republican	John Fenick	23,087	47.7%
Total votes			48,427	100.0

District 21

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Anthony E. Russo, incumbent Senator since 1978 and mayor of Union Township (Regular Democratic Organization of Union County)

Results

1981 Democratic primary^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Anthony E. Russo (incumbent)	9,516	100.00%
Total votes			9,516	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• C. Louis Bassano, Assemblyman from Union Township (Regular Organization Republican of Union County)

Results

1981 Republican primary^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	C. Louis Bassano	10,693	100.00%
Total votes			10,693	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• C. Louis Bassano, Assemblyman from Union Township (Republican)
• Anthony E. Russo, incumbent Senator since 1978 and mayor of Union Township (Democratic)

Results

1981 general election^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	C. Louis Bassano	36,957	51.9
	Democratic	Anthony E. Russo (incumbent)	34,252	48.1
Total votes			71,209	100.0

District 22

Republican primary

Candidates

• Anthony J. Crincoli (Regular Republican Party)
• Donald DiFrancesco, incumbent Senator since 1979 (Regular Organization Republican of Union County)

Results

1981 Republican primary^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Donald DiFrancesco (incumbent)	13,752	77.46%
	Republican	Anthony J. Crincoli	4,002	22.54%
Total votes			17,754	100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Frank Fiorito (Democratic Party—Organization)

Results

1981 Democratic primary^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Frank Fiorito	6,997	100.00%
Total votes			6,997	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Donald DiFrancesco, incumbent Senator since 1979 (Republican)
• Frank Fiorito (Democratic)

Results

1981 general election^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Donald DiFrancesco (incumbent)	46,330	67.9
	Democratic	Frank Fiorito	21,876	32.1
Total votes			68,206	100.0

District 23

Republican primary

Candidates

• Walter Foran, incumbent Senator since 1977 (Regular Republican Organization)

Results

1981 Republican primary^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Walter Foran (incumbent)	11,291	100.00%
Total votes			11,291	100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Samuel J. Gugliemini (Regular Democratic Organization)

Results

1981 Democratic primary^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Samuel J. Gugliemini	4,868	100.00%
Total votes			4,868	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Walter Foran, incumbent Senator since 1977 (Republican)
• Samuel J. Gugliemini (Democratic)

Results

1981 general election^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Walter E. Foran (incumbent)	37,494	75.1
	Democratic	Samuel J. Gugliemini	12,431	24.9
Total votes			49,925	100.0

District 24

Republican primary

Candidates

• Donald J. Albanese, Assemblyman from Belvidere (Conservative Republican)
• Wayne Dumont, incumbent Senator since 1968^{[lower-alpha 1]} (Regular Republican Organizational Candidate)

The campaign between Albanese and Dumont was possibly the most bitter in the state. Dumont had supported Albanese in his short-lived campaign for governor, only for Albanese to withdraw from that race and challenge Dumont.^[8]

Results

1981 Republican primary^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Wayne Dumont (incumbent)	7,588	59.98%
	Republican	Donald J. Albanese	5,062	40.02%
Total votes			12,650	100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Edward Gaffney (Regular Democratic Party Organization)

Results

1981 Democratic primary^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Frank Fiorito	6,997	100.00%
Total votes			6,997	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Wayne Dumont, incumbent Senator since 1968^{[lower-alpha 1]} (Republican)
• Edward Gaffney (Democratic)

Results

1981 general election^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Wayne Dumont, Jr.	37,467	77.4
	Democratic	Edward Gaffney	10,953	22.6
Total votes			48,420	100.0

District 25

Republican primary

Candidates

• John H. Dorsey, incumbent Senator since 1978 (Regular Republican)

Results

1981 Republican primary^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	John H. Dorsey (incumbent)	12,675	100.00%
Total votes			12,675	100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Horace Chamberlain (Democrat)

Results

1981 Democratic primary^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Horace Chamberlain	4,737	100.00%
Total votes			4,737	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Horace Chamberlain (Democratic)
• John H. Dorsey, incumbent Senator since 1978 (Republican)

Results

1981 general election^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	John H. Dorsey	36,433	68.0
	Democratic	Horace Chamberlain	17,137	32.0
Total votes			53,570	100.0

District 26

Republican primary

Candidates

• James P. Vreeland, incumbent Senator since 1974 (Incumbent Republican Senator)

Results

1981 Republican primary^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	James P. Vreeland (incumbent)	12,829	100.00%
Total votes			12,829	100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Benjamin Steltzer (Regular Democrat)

Results

1981 Democratic primary^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Benjamin Steltzer	5,016	100.00%
Total votes			5,016	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Benjamin Steltzer (Democratic)
• James P. Vreeland, incumbent Senator since 1974 (Republican)

Results

1981 general election^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	James P. Vreeland	38,141	69.9
	Democratic	Benjamin Steltzer	16,414	30.1
Total votes			54,555	100.0

District 27

Democratic primary

Candidates

• James J. Brown ("Think" Democratic)
• Richard Codey, Assemblyman from Orange (Democratic Party Organization)
• Gayle Brody Rosen

Results

1981 Democratic primary^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Richard Codey	12,263	54.76%
	Democratic	Gayle Brody Rosen	7,347	32.80%
	Democratic	James J. Brown	2,786	12.44%
Total votes			22,396	100.00%

Republican primary

Results

1981 Republican primary^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Richard E. Koehler (write-in)	22	100.00%
Total votes			22	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Richard Codey, Assemblyman from Orange (Democratic)
• Richard E. Koehler (Republican)

Results

1981 general election^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Richard J. Codey	30,403	73.9
	Republican	Richard E. Koehler	10,737	26.1
Total votes			41,140	100.0

District 28

Democratic primary

Candidates

• John P. Caufield, incumbent Senator since 1979 (Democratic Party—Organization)

Results

1981 Democratic primary^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John P. Caufield (incumbent)	7,437	100.00%
Total votes			7,437	100.00%

Republican primary

Results

1981 Republican primary^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Herta B. Tully (write-in)	70	100.00%
Total votes			70	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• John P. Caufield, incumbent Senator since 1979 (Democratic)
• Herta B. Tully (Republican)

Results

1981 general election^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John P. Caufield	20,786	75.0
	Republican	Herta B. Tully	6,913	25.0
Total votes			27,699	100.0

District 29

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Wynona Lipman, incumbent Senator since 1972 (Democratic Party—Organization)

Results

1981 Democratic primary^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Wynona Lipman (incumbent)	11,479	100.00%
Total votes			11,479	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Louis J. Smith (Essex Republican Party Organization)

Results

1981 Republican primary^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Louis J. Smith	514	100.00%
Total votes			514	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Wynona Lipman, incumbent Senator since 1972 (Democratic)
• Louis J. Smith (Republican)

Results

1981 general election^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Wynona M. Lipman	23,598	88.3
	Republican	Louis J. Smith	3,125	11.7
Total votes			26,723	100.0

District 30

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Carmen Orechio, incumbent Senator since 1974 and mayor of Nutley (Democratic Party—Organization)

Results

1981 Democratic primary^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Carmen Orechio (incumbent)	9,000	100.00%
Total votes			9,000	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• John I. Crecco (Essex Republican Party Organization)

Results

1981 Republican primary^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	John I. Crecco	9,920	100.00%
Total votes			9,920	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• John I. Crecco (Republican)
• Arthur Kinoy (Citizens)
• Carmen Orechio, incumbent Senator since 1974 and mayor of Nutley (Democratic)

Results

1981 general election^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Carmen A. Orechio	30,990	49.4
	Republican	John I. Crecco	29,930	47.7
	Citizens	Arthur Kinoy	1,765	2.8
Total votes			62,685	100.0

District 31

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Wally Sheil, incumbent Senator since 1978 and president of Hudson County Community College (Regular Democratic Organization)
• Edward T. O'Connor Jr. (Democratic Solidarity Coalition Team)
• James J. Richardson

Results

1981 Democratic primary^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Edward T. O'Connor Jr.	16,020	52.08%
	Democratic	Wally Sheil (incumbent)	13,021	42.33%
	Democratic	James J. Richardson	1,718	5.59%
Total votes			30,759	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Jean C. Lane (Regular Republican Organization)

Results

1981 Republican primary^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Jean C. Lane	1,505	100.00%
Total votes			1,505	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Jean C. Lane (Republican)
• Edward T. O'Connor Jr. (Democratic)

Results

1981 general election^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Edward T. O'Connor, Jr.	37,863	75.4
	Republican	Jean C. Lane	12,348	24.6
Total votes			50,211	100.0

District 32

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Michael J. Marino, former Assemblyman (Democratic Solidarity Coalition Team)
• Frank E. Rodgers, incumbent Senator since 1978 and mayor of Harrison (Regular Democratic Organization)

Results

1981 Democratic primary^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Frank E. Rodgers (incumbent)	15,813	68.51%
	Democratic	Michael J. Marino	7,268	31.49%
Total votes			23,081	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Joseph F. Ward (Regular Republican Organization)

Results

1981 Republican primary^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Joseph F. Ward	2,543	100.00%
Total votes			2,543	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Frank E. Rodgers, incumbent Senator since 1978 and mayor of Harrison (Democratic)
• Herbert H. Shaw, perennial candidate (Politicians are Crooks)
• Joseph F. Ward (Republican)

Results

1981 general election^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Frank E. Rodgers	34,150	63.4
	Republican	Joseph F. Ward	18,551	34.4
	Politicians Are Crooks	Herbert H. Shaw	1,171	2.2
Total votes			53,872	100.0

District 33

1981 general election^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	William V. Musto	24,012	62.0
	Republican	Ralph A. Montanez	14,707	38.0
Total votes			38,719	100.0

District 34

1981 general election^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Joseph Bubba	31,044	52.7
	Democratic	William J. Bate	27,843	47.3
Total votes			58,887	100.0

District 35

1981 general election^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Frank X. Graves Jr.	28,439	74.6
	Republican	Frank E. Gorman	9,693	25.4
Total votes			38,132	100.0

District 36

1981 general election^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Joseph Hirkala	30,422	55.4
	Republican	Philip R. Gervato	23,049	42.0
	Bergen Home Rule	Edna M. Perrotta	1,395	2.5
Total votes			54,866	100.0

District 37

1981 general election^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Matthew Feldman	39,299	61.7
	Republican	Barbara L. deMare	24,416	38.3
Total votes			63,715	100.0

District 38

1981 general election^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	John B. Paolella	30,670	51.0
	Democratic	John M. Skevin	27,968	46.5
	Citizens For Progress	Bernard J. Focarino	1,473	2.5
Total votes			60,111	100.0

District 39

1981 general election^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Gerald Cardinale	38,929	58.2
	Democratic	Francis X. Herbert	27,948	41.8
Total votes			66,877	100.0

District 40

1981 general election^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Garrett W. Hagedorn	42,014	66.8
	Democratic	Mitchell Kahn	20,835	33.2
Total votes			62,849	100.0

Notes

1. Senator Dumont previously served in the Senate from 1952 to 1966 but gave up his seat for one term in order to run for Governor in 1965.

References

1. Tinney, Kathleen (November 1, 2012). "Joseph A. Maressa, 89, former state Senator". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved June 26, 2021.
2. Sullivan, Joseph F. (June 7, 1981). "A NEW LOOK FOR THE LEGISLATURE". The New York Times. p. NJ1.
3. "Candidates for the Offices of State Senate and General Assembly" (PDF). Retrieved August 3, 2023.
4. "Candidates for the Offices of State Senate and General Assembly" (PDF). Retrieved June 26, 2021.
5. Prendergast, Frank J. (May 13, 1981). "Lavin Criticizes Perskie". Press of Atlantic City. p. 40. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
6. Micko, Lillian (October 27, 1981). "Money becomes main issue in 3rd district race". Courier-Post. p. 6. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
7. Staff. "County Voters Shun Primary - Heavily", Asbury Park Press, June 6, 1979. Accessed September 15, 2016. "Elsewhere in the state, candidates running on a ticket fielded by Florio won the Democratic nominations in two Camden County Assembly districts over an opposing ticket backed by Errichetti.... Four-term Assemblymen Kenneth Gewertz and Francis Gorman were upset by Florio's team of Daniel Dalton and Dennis Riley in the fourth district, which takes in parts of Gloucester and Burlington counties as well as part of Camden."
8. "One incumbent fails to hold Senate seat". The Daily Register. Associated Press. June 3, 1981. p. 9. Retrieved August 4, 2023.